Car heater



S. VERNET June 23, 1931. CAR HEATER Re. 18,110

Original Filed June 21, 1927 mmuuu Aim W Reiaaued June 23, 1931 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE Original No. 1,705,550, dated March 19, 1929,Serial No. 200,328, filed June 21, 1927. Reissue No. 17,431, datedSeptember 10, 1929, Serial No. 880,788, filed July 24, 1929. Thisapplication for reissue filed July 17, 1930. Serial No. 468,718.

This invention relates to an improvement in heaters for automobiles,buses, trucks and other vehicles operated by internal combustionengines. More particularly, this invention relates toaheater whichisoperated by the heat of the exhaust gases of the internal combustionengine, the source of the heat, namely, the exhaust gases, beingnon-uniform, and the rate at which heat is transferred to warm up acompartment of the vehicle is properly regulated.

Various means for heating the interior of automobiles, buses, trucks andother vehicles operated b internal combustion engines from the ex austheat of the engine have been devised. In some of these heaters the exhaust gases are conducted directly through heating devices in thepassenger compartments, in others a by-pass receiving a portion of theexhaust gases and conducting them through a suitable radiator has beenused.

In general these heaters are subject to, serious difliculty, becausethey sometimes become overheated to the extent that the dirt and dustwhich is collected around them is burned and gives off an unpleasantodor. Leaks also occur admitting carbon monoxide into the' passengercompartment. Metal pans have to be furnished with these heaters 3 sothat when they are installed they are kept away from any water orcombustible material. Their installation is difiicult in so far as theexhaust pipe has to be cut and connections made from it to the heater.They also increase the back pressure in the exhaust pipe which in turnaffects the efiiciency of the en- The valves in this type of heater,being directly in the passage of the exhaust'gases, become oxidized andalso covered with carbon to the extent that they often cease functioningmaking it impossible to turn the heater on and off.

The type of heater which uses hot air heated by the exhaust pipe andthen led into the passenger compartment is subject to the difficultythat all the objectionable odors around the exhaust pipe and the en ineare conveyed with the hot air into the ve icle, as well as a lot of roaddust and dirt.

A further difiiculty encountered in connection with all of these heaterswhich use the exhaust gases of the engine as a source of heat lies inthe wide ran e in the amount of heat to be found in the ex aust gases.All of such heaters as heretofore devised have been nonuniform in theiroperation in that a substantial increase in the amount of heat in theexhaust gases results in over-heating of the compartment of the vehicle.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a motor vehicleheater which will obviate the above disadvantages and to devise animproved heating s stem for a compartment of a motor vehicle whereb thesame may be satisfactorily and efliciently heated, and the transfer ofheat automaticall regulated to cause such transfer to be uni OIIIl.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an automobileheater, including as the heatin medium a vapor condenser systemsuitably1 connected with the exhaust pipe to receive eat of vaporizationtherefrom, and to conduct the vapor to acondenser radiator where thevapor gives up its heat and is condensed and returned to be revaporizedby the exhaust heat, such circulation being free of metering as byvalves or the like.

A further object of my invention is to regulate the amount of heatliberated within the vehicle compartment by withdrawing varying amountsof fluid from active circulation in the heating system, but otherwisenot restricting the return of condensate for revaporization.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear from thefollowing detailed description of the attached drawings which illustratea preferred form of embodiment of my invention and in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a closed car body showing the locationof my improved heater therein.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section showing a construction ofthe heater.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the heater shown in Fig. 2 illustrating theconnection between the heater and the exhaust pipe, as well as'thecontrol valve.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation partly in section similar to Fig. 2 showing amodified form of control means.

Fig. 5 is an end view of a further modified form of vapor generator orreservoir.

The automobile 10 shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, is a typicalenclosed private automobile and has the rear compartment 12 in which aheater 14 constructed according to an adaptation of my invention islocated and is supplied with heat from the exhaust pipe 16 shown indotted lines between the engine (not shown) and the muffler 18.

It is obvious that this heater might be placed in either an open or a.closed car and may be placed in either the front or the rear compartmentthereof, or may be used on buses, trucks and other automotive vehiclesas desired.

In the specific form of the invention illustrated, the heater comprisesa hollow shoe or vapor generator 20 to be attached over the exhaustpipe. This vapor generator is preferably' made of a thin metal which maybe made to conform to the shape of the exhaust pipe by means of bands 28suitably fastened by nuts and bolts 29. It is obvious that the amount ofexhaust gases and the temperature of thesame varies substantially fromtime to time in accordancewvith whether the motor has become warmed up,and the speed at which the vehicle is being driven. The shoe 20 is madehollow to enclose a small portion of the heating liquid, and for theaverage passenger automobile need hold only approximately fivetablespoons of the liquid.

The shoe 20 is connected into a closed system for heating the rearcon'ipartment 12. This closed system comprises not only the shoe 20 butalso a radiator condenser 24. a flexible hose or conduit 22 and meansfor holding a portion of the heating fluid out of active circulation.This means is hereinafter termed means for trapping fluid", and the termtrapping means" is to be understood as including broadly anyconstruction or arrangement designed to withdraw fluid from activecirculation without actually draining the same out of the system. Thistrapping means is adjustable as will later be shown to vary the amountof fluid actively in circulation. This adjustable means, together withthe vapor generator 20, is enclosed in a suitable frame 26. The flexibleconnection 22 is secured by a fluid tight connection to an upstandingnipple on the heater shoe 20, and is adapted to conduct the fluid vaporfrom the vapor generator 20 to the radiator condenser 24. The radiatorcondenser 24 is preferably a stamped vaporproof metal tank. The trappingmeans for holding a portion of the heating fluid out of activecirculation is associated with the radiator condenser 24; and in theembodiment disclosed herein is in part formed integrally therewith,taking the form of a sump or similar drain portion 24, and an outwardlyprojecting nipple 24". To the outer end of the nipple 24" is connectedthe upper end of the vapor conduit 22. It is clear from the drawingsthat the radiator condenser 24 is in free communication at all timeswith the vapor generator 20. The vapor given off from the heated liquidin the vapor generator 20 or otherwise produced finds its way into thecondenser 24 and there gives up its heat, changing into liquid form. Thereturn of this condensate through the conduit 22 is not interfered with.It is desirable. however, to control the amount of heat given olf by theradiator 24. I provide means for so controllin my heating system; andthe means which I provide do not throttle or restrict the passage bywhich condensate returns to the vapor generator; but instead, I form apool or reserve of liquid, thereby controlling the amount of fluidactively in circulation. The regulating means includes an enclosingsleeve 30 with an extended projecting handle 31, the sleeve being placedover the conduit 22 near the sump or drain of the radiator L'Ull denser24. As will be understood this sleeve 30 of the regulating means merelyencloses the conduit and is adapted to raise the conduit to the dottedposition as shown in Fig. 2 at 22", the handle being raised to theposition 31 when it is desired to shut otl the heater. The metallichousing 26 for the heater. provides a neat and attractive externalappearance and aids in conducting the heat from the condenser as well asto support and protect the condenser on the car floor. The regulatingmeans 31 comprises an enlarged ball or handle which cooperates with theserrated opening on the end 26 of the heater as shown in Fig. Suitablemarkings on the end adjacent the extreme positions will indicate byinspection, when the heater is on or 0a.

The operation of this device is as follows:

A suitable fluid such as water or alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, or thelike, or any combination of fluids, having a boiling point between 150and 212 degrees F., is placed in the shoe or reservoir 20 through thefilling cap 2O using a limited amount, as before mentioned. Thecondenser and reservoir are then hermetically sealed preferably under aslight vacuum and the shoe is placed on the exhaust pipe. Underoperation of the motor, the exhaust gas will sulliciently heat theliquid to vaporize it, and the vapor will rise to the condenser 24 andwill give sullicient heat from the condenser to warm the interior of thevehicle. The vaporized fluid is cooled by this exchange of heat andcondensed, and will return through the conduit 22 to the reservoir 20and in turn will again be heated, vaporized, give off its heat in thecondenser, and return to the reservoir, thus maintaining a continualcirculation and efi'ectively Warming the car.

The normal operation of my improved device contemplates this continualcirculation of the fluid. It is desirable, however to control the amountof heat given oil by the radiator condenser 24 as the car compartmentmay at times become too warm it the full elfectiveness of the heatingsystem is used at all times. To control the heat given ofi by theradiator condenser, the operator merely grasps the control handle 31 andmoves it from the on position to an adjusted position between the onposition and the off position. or to the oil position itself. it thehandle 31 be moved to the oil position, the condensed liquid will beunable to return over the high point 22* in the conduit, and thus sincenone of the condensate is returned to the shoe 20. further vaporizationwill stop and no more .heat will be given off.

hen the control handle 31 is moved to a position between the on and theoil position, an amount of liquid is accumulated or trapped. dependingupon the position of the handle 31. This liquid is. in cfl'ect,withdrawn from circulation. It will be clear from the above disclosureof the operation of the apparatus that if the amount. of fluid which istrapped is large, the amount of fluid actively in circulation will besmall and the volume of fluid returned to the vapor generator forreheating during a given period of time will be smaller than in the casewhere a smaller amount is trapped. If the amount trapped be decreased,the rate at which fluid is returned for reheating by the exhaust gasesis correspondingly increased. This operation takes place automaticallywithout the use of a valve or restricting device for interfering withthe return of fluid to the vapor generator for reheating.

In a. heater of this type, where the rate of heat supply is variable, itis important that the condensate be fed to the vapor generatorat a ratewhich correspoiuls to the rate at which heat given otl" by theradiator-condenser. It is not feasible to control the rate of fluidreturn by a metering valve, as such devices do not function accuratelyenough when handling such small quantities of liquid. lily my apparatus,the desired metering effect is obtained without valves and the amount ofheating is regulated, by varying the quantity of liquid in activec1rculation. As soon as a drop of liquid flows back to the vaporizer itis turned into steam. The vaporizer acts as a flash boiler and duringnormal operation, will contain no liquid. Hence, variations in thequantity of heat supplied by the engine have no effect.

No serious effects will take place because of continued heating up tothe point where no liquid remains in the vapor generator 20, inasmuchthe quantity of liquid in the entire heating system is so small that itmight all be vaporized and the vapor will only be superheated and thesuperheat pressure of the vapor will not cause rupture of the metalliccondenser shell or unduly increase the temperature. By using a liquidhaving a suitable vaporization point, the heater becomes quickly heatedwhen the engine has started and continues to give off heat until all thevapor is condensed.

A modified form of control means to shut oil' the heater is shown inFig. 4 in which a sump portion 35 in the condenser 36 is so enlarged asto receive all the condensed fluid to be used in the system. An upwardlyprojecting pipe 37 which is an extension of the nipple to which theconduit 22 is connected prevents the fluid when condensed from returningto the shoe 20. A ork or metallic collar 38 attached to the handle 39 isadapted to entirely till the sump portion and when in its lower positionwill permit the condensed fluid to return through the nipple to the shoe20. It will be understood that the heater shoe is connected in the samewa r to the end of the conduit 2:? and that similarly arranged latchmeans as shown in Fig. 3 will cooperate with the operating handle 39. Toshut ofl' this form of heater, the handle 39 is lowered, elevating thecollar 38 and permitting all the liquid to remain in the sump 35 so thatno further vaporization can take place. The handle 39 may be arranged invarious positions intermediate full off and full on position. Thedisplaced by the cork or collar 38 is correspondingly graduated. It isevident, therefore, that in this embodiment, as in the one shown in Fig.2, the amount of fluid actively in circulation may be controlled. Itshould, furthermore, be noted that it is not an essential of theinvention that the fluidor sump be within the radiator condenser:inasmuch as the fluid may be withdrawn by tra pping the same in acontainer connected at any point with the closed system. In thisembodiment a flexible diaphragm 40 of suitable material, such as ametallic bellows makes an airtight joint around the handle 39.

A modified form of vapor generator or reservoir 120 is shown in Fig. 5which is adapted to be used in conjunction with the exhaust mufller 118.The mufi'ler gases are several hundred degrees hotter than the out sideof the exhaust pipe and for this reason, the element 120 may be madesomewhat smaller and yet be equally effective. It will be similarly heldin place by a suitable clamp 28. fastened by a securing means 29 and isadapted to retain packing 121 to securely close the opening made in themuflier 118 and to prevent rattles.

In operation this form vaporizes the liquid much quicker than the otherbecause of the increased heat.

amount of liquid There will also be no lagging required to retain theheat and all that will be required to'adapt it to a muflier will be todrill a suitable hole therein.

From the above detailed description, it is seen that a very simple andyet highly effective car heater is provided in which the heat can bequickly and adequately transferred from the source, the exhaust pipe, tothe heat radiator in the car body, and because of the superheating ofthe fluid, increased temperature may be obtained without rupture of theparts. When less heat is desired, operation of the control means willeither shut the device of! entirely or it may be so adjusted as to causea desired'quantity of fluid to be withdrawn from active circulation, itlereby automatically governing the rate at which fluid is returned forreheating by the exhaust gases. Such control of the amount of fluidtrapped regulates the heat given off by the radiator condenser. When thedevice is warmed and the motor turned off, by merely closing the heaterofl, the retained fluid will retain its heat temporarily. In such adevice disclosed, there can be no objectionable odors because there isno source of excessive heat and the heater is sealed. to retain all ofthe vapors.

While I have shown a preferred form of embodiment of the device, I amaware that other modifications might be constructed and 'I, therefore,desire protection on the broad scope of the invention as describedherein and as claimed in the claims appended hereto.

1 claim:

1. A vapor pressure heating system for a vehicle having an engine,comprising a vapor generator for absorbing heat from the exiaust gasesof the engine, a condenser radiator, conducting means operativelyconnecting the generator and the radiator for the flow of v'aporizedfluid from the generator to the radiator and the return of condensatefrom the radiator to the generator, and means for trapping varyingamounts of fluid to vary the quantity of fluid actively in circulation,the return of condensate to the generator being modified by said meansonly when the amount of trapped fluid is being changed.

2. A vapor pressure heating system for a vehicle driven by an internalcombustion engine comprising a vapor generator for absorbing heat fromthe exhaust gases of the engine, a condenserv radiator, conducting meansoperatively connecting the generator and the radiator for the flow ofvaporized fluid from the generator to the radiator and the return ofcondensate from the radiator to the generator, and means for trapping apool of condensate, said trapping means communicating with the heatingsystem only at or above the surface of the pool.

3. A vapor pressure heating system for a vehicle driven by an internalcombustion engine comprising a vapor generator for absorbing heat fromthe exhaust gases of the engine, a condenser radiator, conducting meansoperatively connecting the generator and the radiator for the flow ofvaporized fluid from the generator to the radiator and the returfi ofcondensate from the radiator to the generator, means for trapping a poolof condensate, said trapping means communicating with the circulatingsystem only at or above the surface of the pool, and means forcontrolling the amount of condensate in the pool.

4. A vapor pressure heating system for a vehicle driven by an internalcombustion engine comprising a vapor generator for absorbing heat fromthe exhaust gases of the engine, a condenser radiator, conducting meansoperatively connecting the generator and the radiator for the flow ofvaporized fluid from the generator to the radiator and the return ofcondensate from the radiator to the generator, and adjustable means fortrapping condensate to form a reserve pool, the discharge of condensatefrom the pool, except when adjustment is taking place, being only byinflow of further condensate to displace the condensate thus discharged.

5. In a vapor heater for motor vehicles, a sealed vapor condenser systemcomprising means to vaporize a liquid, means to condense said vapor, acontinuously open vapor and condensate conductor connecting thevaporizing means and the condensing means, and means for trappincondensed vapor to control the amount 0 trapping means holding suchcondensate without interiorly obstructing the conductmg means.

6. In a vapor heater for motor car bodies, a vaporizing chambercontaining a liquid, unitary common means to conduct vapor to the carbody and to return condensate to the vaporizing chamber, condenser meansto condense said vapor and warm the car body, means for trappingcondensed vapor within the condenser to regulate the heat conveyed saidmeans trapping the condensate without interiorly obstructing theconducting means, and means operable from outside said condenser forcontrolling the trapping means.

7. A vapor pressure heati system for a vehicle having an internal comustion engine, comprising a vapor generator for absorbing heat from theexhaust gases of the engine, a condenser radiator, conducting meansoperatively connecting the generator and the radiator for the flow ofvaporized fluid from the generator to the radiator and the'return ofcondensate from the radiator to the generator, and means for storing apool of condensate, said means communicating with the circulating systemonly at or above the surface of the pool and having its eflectivecapacity variable.

8. A vapor pressure heating system for M:

vapor formed, said fluid from the generator to the radiator and the reurn of condensate from the radiator to the generator, and control meansfor withdrawing a portion of the condensate from circulation whileleaving the normal circulation of the remaining fluid or enerated vaporunimpeded, thereby controlling the rate of heat transfer by reducing orlimiting the amount of vapor generation.

9. A vapor heating system for a vehicle driven by an internal combustionen ine, comprising a vaplor generator for absorbing heat from the exaust gases of the engine, a condenser radiator, a vaporizable fluid inthe system, conducting means operatively connectin the generator and theradiator for the flow o vaporized fluid from the generator to theradiator and the return of condensate from the radiator to thegenerator, and means for trapping a desired amount of condensate in thecondenser radiator, said means being adjustable so as to interceptsubstantially the entire return flow of the condensate to the vaporgenerator while leaving the flow of vapor from the generator to thecondenser substantially unimpeded, the conducting means between thegenerator and the condenser including a conduit for the flow of vapor,said conduit pro'ecting a suflicient distance upwardly within-thecondenser radiator so that its end lies above the surface of the trap edcondensate when the entire amount. of flul in the system has beentrapped.

10. A vapor pressure heating stem for a vehicle having an internal comustion engine, comprising a vapor generator for absorbmg heat from theexhaust gases of the engine, a condenser radiator, conducting meansoperatively connecting the generator and the radiator for the flow ofvaporized fluid from the generator to the radiator and the return ofcondensate from the radiator to the generator, means for storing areserve pool of condensate, and an adjustable displacement device forvarying the efiective capacity of the storing means.

11. A vapor pressure heating system for a vehicle driven by an internalcombustion engine comprising a vapor generator for absorbing heat fromthe exhaust gases of the 'engine, a condenser radiator, conducting meansoperatively connecting the generator and the radiator for the flow ofvaporized fluid from the generator to the radiator and the return ofcondensate from the radiator to the generator, and means for damming thereturn flow of condensate to the vapor generatorfsaid damming meansbeing adj ustable in height to trap varying amounts of condensate.

12. A vapor pressure heatin a vehicle having an engine and an exhaustconduit leading from the engine, comprising a heating chamber adapted tobe heated by the exhaust gases passing through the exhaust conduit, acondenser radiator located in the compartment to be heated, a singleexteriorly closed and interiorly uncontrolled conduit between the heatinchamber andthe radiator, a volatile liquid in said heating chamberadapted to'be vaporized by the heat of system for the exhaust, and to becondensed in the radiator to ive ofl its heat and return. to the heating0 amber for revaporization, and means to control the heater bypreventingthe return of liquid to the heating chamber.

13; A vapor heating system for automo- 14. A heater for automotivevehicles .eom-

prising a means to vaporize a liquid, means to conduct the'vapor to thepassenger compartment of the vehicle, means to warm the assengercompartment, comprising a conenser' receiving sa d vapor, saidconducting means being contlnuously open interiorly and acting to returnthe condensed liquid from the condenser tothe vaporizing means,andadjustable means to prevent the return of condensed liquid.

15. In a heater for a, vehicle driven by an internal combustion enginehaving an exhaust pipe, the combination with the exhaust pipe of theengine, of'a heater shoe adapted.

to be heated by said exhaust pipe when said engine is operated, a liquidin said shoeito be vaporized by said heat and means in the automobilebody to receive and condense said vapor, a conduit continuousl openinteriorly to conduct the vapor to tli e condensing means and to returnsaid liquid to be again revaporized for the purpose of. heating thebody, and adjustable means to prevent return of said fluid withoutobstructing said conduit for the purpose of controlling the condensesaid vapor and heat the vehicle body, and control means preventing thereturn of the condensed liquid to the vaporizer without interiorliy;obstructing the liquid re: turning means, t ereby preventing transfer ofheat to the vehicle body.

17. A vapor pressure heating s stem for a vehicle having an internal comustion engine,co1npris1ng a vapor generator for absorbing. heat from theexhaust gases of the engine, a condenser radiator, conducting -meansoperatively connecting the generator and the radiator for the flow ofvaporized fluid from the generator to the radiator and i the return ofcondensate from the radiator to vehicle having an internal combustionen- 7 the generator, and means for storing a pool of condensate, saidmeans communicating with the heating system only at or above the surfaceof the 001 and having its effective a capacity varia la the maximumeffective capacity being sufficient to store substantially all thecondensate in the heating system and withdraw said condensate, fromcirculation.

18. A vapor. pressure heating system for a gine, comprising a vaporgenerator for absorbing heat from the exhaust gases of the engine, acondenser radiator, conducting means operatively connecting thegenerator 30 and the radiator for the flow of vaporized fluid from thegenerator to the radiator and the return of condensate from the radiatorto the generator, means for damming the return flow of condensate to thevapor genera ,ator to store a pool of condensate, said damming meanspermitting flow only over the same,and an adjustable displacement devicefor varying the quantity of condensate stored in the pool.

7 40 SERGIUS VERNET.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Reissue Patent No. l8,ll0. Granted June 23, 1931. to

SERGlUS VERNET.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5,line 49, claim It strike out the word "reserve"; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the samemay conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of August, A. D. i931.

v M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

